• Job Description

  Req#: 5153625

  Who We?Are ?

  Located just 75 miles from Washington, D.C. in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, Berkeley County is the fastest growing county in the state of West Virginia. Our close proximity to D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia makes Berkeley County an exciting place to live & learn.

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  Berkeley County Schools boasts a diverse population recognized statewide for great success in academics, the arts and athletics. With 4 high schools, 6 middle, 6 intermediate school, 16 elementary schools and a universal Pre-K program, our 32 schools serve a student population of more than 19,250 strong and growing. Our more than 2,000+ employees __ including teachers, principals, office assistants, paraprofessionals, custodians, nutrition services staff, technology staff and administrators __ are committed to limitless learning opportunities and child-centered excellence!

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  We are looking for individuals passionate in their commitment to maximizing individual student performance. Make the choice to join our team and become a part of a collaborative, responsive culture committed to multiple pathways to grow and shape your career.

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  *Job Title?Teacher of the Visually Impaired
  *Job Type Certified - Grade Level - K-12

  Job Type Description
  A vacancy exists for one Teacher of the Visually Impaired (preferably dual certified in Orientation and Mobility) to provide itinerant related services to students based on critical skill areas on students’ IEPs. Qualifications include West Virginia certification in Visual Impairments (PreK-Adult) and preferred additional certification in Orientation and Mobility from an accredited college/university.
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  Salary Schedule:?
  Berkeley County Schools Teacher Pay Scale based upon degree level and verified years of experience along with therapeutic and diagnostic index.

  Qualifications/Requirements:

  The Teacher of the Visually Impaired has the following roles and responsibilities:

  1. Has primary responsibility for specialized instruction and services required to meet the unique educational needs of their students who are blind or have low vision.
  2. Possesses the skills and abilities necessary to provide and coordinate this specialized instruction.
  3. Assists the student, parents, special and general education personnel, and the student’s sighted peers in: understanding the unique educational needs and learning characteristics of students who are visually impaired, becoming aware of services and support available from local programs fo r students who are visually impaired, acquiring information regarding local, state, and national resources for the education of students who are visually impaired, and i nterpreting the student’s specific eye condition, the educational implications of the visual impairment, and the results of functional vision and learning media assessments.
  4. Consults regularly with the classroom teacher, other general and special education personnel, family members, and others to coordinate programs and services for the student who is visually impaired.
  5. Assists the s chool administrator and teachers in making environmental adjustments for their students in the school.
  6. Shares responsibility with classroom teachers in the identification of instructional areas in which the student requires assistance.
  7. Assures that large print or braille texts, supplementary materials, educational, aids, and equipment needed by the student who is visually impaired, and the classroom teacher, are provided in a timely manner to ensure the student’s maximum participation in all classroom activities .
  8. Provides instruction in the development and maintenance of expanded core curriculum (ECC) skills to meet the student’s unique educational needs in the following areas, as indicated in the IEP .
  9. Prepares sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student’s assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives , functioning, and motivational levels.
  10. Collects data and keeps progress notes on each student.
  11. Provides assistance to the classroom teacher in academic subjects and activities of the classroom that, as a direct result of the student’s visual impairment, require adaptation for the student.
  12. Provides initial and ongoing assessment/evaluation .
  13. C onsults with the IEP team to determine appropriate testing materials and modifications needed .
  14. A ssists with and interprets assessments when needed .
  15. Conducts functional vision evaluations/learning media assessments and produces written reports with the results.
  16. Attends IEP meetings for students with visual impairments.
  17. Schedules time efficiently for assessment, planning, instruction, preparation of materials, travel, and professional development with relevant school and other key individuals.
  18. Maintains ongoing contact with family members to assist them in the development of a realistic understanding of their child’s abilities, progress, and future goals.
  19. Provides in-service training programs for school personnel and students and education for family members regarding the needs of students who are visually impaired and adaptations, programs, and services for these students.
  20. Coordinates with other personnel, such as transcribers, readers, counselors, O&M specialists, career/vocational education staff, rehabilitation counselors, and early childhood interventionists.
  21. Acquires information and training about current research, developments, and technology.

  Orientation and Mobility Specialist

  1. The Orientation and Mobility Specialist has the following roles and responsibilities:
  2. Instructs the student who is visually impaired in the development of skills and knowledge that enables them to move purposely and to travel independently, based on assessed needs and ability.
  3. Teaches the student who is visually impaired to travel with proficiency , safety, and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments.
  4. Consults regularly with sighted peers, family members, classroom teachers, physical education teachers, and/or other special education personnel to assist in home and classroom environmental modifications, adaptations, and considerations and to ensure reinforcement of appropriate O&M skills that will encourage the student to travel independently in these settings.
  5. Works with the?TVI to conduct the functional vision evaluation, as it relates to independent travel.
  6. Conducts assessments that focus on both long and short-term needs of the student.
  7. Includes in the assessment report the needs and strengths of the student and an estimate of the length and frequency of service necessary to meet identified needs.
  8. Prepares sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student’s assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives , functioning, and motivational levels.?
  9. Prepares and uses equipment and materials, for example, tactile maps, models, distance optical devices, adaptive mobility devices, and long canes, for the development of O&M skills.
  10. Transports the student (with school transportation and driver ) with parent permission to various community locations, as necessary, to provide meaningful instruction in realistic learning environments.
  11. Is responsible for the student’s safety at all times and in all teaching environments while fostering maximum independence.
  12. Evaluates the student’s progress on an ongoing basis with progress reports each 9 weeks as required .
  13. Collects data and keeps progress notes on each student.
  14. Participates in parent conferences and meetings.
  15. Provides in-service training as requested to general and special education personnel, sighted peers, and family members concerning the O&M needs of the student and appropriate methods and procedures for interacting with the person who is blind or has low vision that will foster maximum independence and safety.
  16. Provide O&M instruction, where appropriate , in these areas: body imagery, laterality, environmental concepts, gross and fine motor skills related to independent travel, sensory awareness, stimulation, and training, spatial concepts, compass direction concepts, guide technique procedures basic protective, alignment, and information-gathering techniques orientation skills map skills mobility device skills (e.g., wearable canes, adaptive mobility devices, long cane skills) use of vision in the environment optical devices related to travel skills urban, suburban, and rural travel, travel in business districts, procedures for crossing streets including how to handle traffic control signals, use of public transportation systems, procedures for use of the phone for information gathering and for emergencies, use of electronic orientation aids and systems (e.g., GPS) procedures for interacting with the public knowledge and application of community address systems, procedures for travel and independent functioning in places of public accommodation, independent living and recreation/leisure skills, sensory/motor skills in coordination with the physical or occupational therapist and TVI.

  Qualification Requirements :

  Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and demonstrate the knowledge and ability to be a qualified and effective candidate for the vacancy.

  Possess certification by the West Virginia Department of Education in Visual Impairments (PreK-Adult) with additionally preferred certification in Orientation and Mobility from an accredited college/university (dual certifi cation is preferred ).?

  Additional Job Information:

  If no certified applicant can be hired, individuals will be considered on an out-of field authorization or permit.

• About the company

  Berkeley County Schools is the operating school district within Berkeley County, West Virginia.

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